Asthma is a disease of the lungs in which the airways become blocked or narrowed causing breathing difficulty. This chronic disease affects 20 million Americans. Asthma is commonly divided into two types: allergic (extrinsic) asthma and non-allergic (intrinsic) asthma. There is still much research that needs to be done to fully understand how to prevent, treat and cure asthma. But, with proper management, people can live healthy and active lives.

-Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, aafa.org

Yesterday, the Senate placed appeasing environmental wackos in front of the welfare of American citizens with Asthma…again.

Fox News reports:

Sen. Jim DeMint blasted the federal government Tuesday after the Senate voted down a proposed amendment that would have protected a popular over-the-counter asthma inhaler from a Food and Drug Administration looming ban.

The FDA plans to take an epinephrine asthma inhaler known as Primatene Mist off the shelves. The product is currently the only FDA-approved over-the-counter inhaler and is being banned because it uses chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, as a propellant. The substance is considered harmful to the ozone layer.

DeMint’s proposed amendment — which would have cut off funding for the implementation of the ban — failed by a vote of 44-54.

“Fifty-four Senators voted to appease extreme environmentalists by banning inhalers that millions of Americans depend on to breathe,” DeMint, R-S.C., said. “This ban won’t do anything serious to help the environment but it will force asthma suffers to spend two to three times more on prescription inhalers, leading many low-income Americans to seek less effective remedies.”

He added: “Once again, Washington is willing to put Americans at risk in the hopes of appeasing special interests.”

In October, DeMint’s office noted that CFC emissions from U.S. inhalers make up just a tiny fraction of total CFC emissions.

The FDA push to regulate the chemical in inhalers has been under way since 2006. It stems from an international treaty signed under the Reagan administration.

In lieu of Primatene Mist, the FDA has suggested users of the product get a prescription for sanctioned inhalers, such as those that use an “environmentally friendly” propellant known as HFA.

But with the clock ticking, the phase-out has raised concerns. The FDA has acknowledged it’s been a challenge to get the word out about the looming change.

As I previously wrote, this is not the first time our government geniuses have done this.

From an article posted at pharmacist.com on April 1, 2005:

FDA has announced that albuterol metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) using chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellants must no longer be produced, marketed, or sold in the United States after December 31, 2008. The federal agency took the action through publication yesterday of a final rule in the Federal Register.

The agency said that sufficient supplies of two approved, environmentally friendly albuterol inhalers will exist by that time to allow the phasing out of similar less environmentally friendly versions.

The manufacturers of three environmentally friendly albuterol inhalers are implementing programs to help lower income patients obtain these albuterol MDIs. These programs include MDI giveaways, coupons for reducing the price paid, and patient-assistance programs based on financial need.

CFC-containing albuterol MDIs, as with other CFC-based MDIs for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis), were previously exempted from a general ban of CFC production and importation under an international agreement established through the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and the U.S. Clean Air Act.

This little move did away with inhalers which cost $10-$20 a piece, replacing them with a brand costing $35-$45.

You haven’t seen anything, yet.  In February 2010, in my home state of Mississippi:

The governor of US state Mississippi, Haley Barbour, has signed a bill restricting the use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs containing pseudoephedrine.

Pseudoephedrine is a sympathomimetic drug of the phenethylamine and amphetamine chemical classes, which is used as a nasal/sinus decongestant and stimulant.

The drug is also, however, a important ingredient in methamphetamine, a highly addictive and dangerous street drug that increases levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.

The statute, House Bill 512 received overwhelming support and passed through legislature within a week. The new rules will take effect from 1 July and will require a doctor’s prescription for products containing pseudoephedrine, including popular nasal decongestants such as Sudafed and Advil Cold and Sinus.

Basically, they punished Sinus sufferers in their attempt to try to make it harder for Meth Heads to kill themselves.

Every day in America:

40,000 people miss school or work due to asthma.

30,000 people have an asthma attack.

5,000 people visit the emergency room due to asthma.

1,000 people are admitted to the hospital due to asthma.

11 people die from asthma.

Suffering from Sinus problems is not exactly a picnic, either:

Sinus disease is a major health problem. It afflicts 31 million people in the United States. Americans spend more than $1 billion each year on over-the-counter medications to treat it. Sinus disease is responsible for 16 million doctor visits and $150 million spent on prescription medications. People who have allergies, asthma, structural blockages in the nose or sinuses, or people with weak immune systems are at greater risk.

Especially for Asthmatics, Sinus problems can lead to Asthmatic Bronchitis and a trip to the doctor, or worse, a stay in the hospital.

It’s a shame that the federal and local governments have made it so expensive and inconvenient for those Americans who suffer with these conditions to get relief.

It’s enough to take your breath away.